Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, has recovered from a shoulder injury and will start Monday’s match against Portugal after training with the team on Thursday, the coach, Joachim Löw, said.

“The injury situation is causing me less and less concern,” a visibly relieved Löw said. “Manuel Neuer took part in training today and he is ready to go on Monday.”

Neuer, Germany’s No1 goalkeeper for the past four years and a pillar of their defence, injured the shoulder in Bayern Munich’s German Cup victory over Borussia Dortmund in May.

The captain, Philipp Lahm, who was struggling with an injured ankle sustained in the same match, has also made good progress and will most likely play as a holding midfielder rather than in the back four.

Worries about Neuer and Lahm had caused concern at Germany’s World Cup training camp. Neuer did not play in the two pre-tournament friendlies, against Cameroon and Armenia, while Lahm, considered one of the world’s best full-backs, played in midfield against Armenia. “I’m fairly confident that will be the same solution for us on Monday,” Löw said.

Löw believes substitutes will have a decisive impact on matches in Brazil because of the difficult weather conditions. He said players should not think that starting a match on the bench is a punishment and emphasised the opportunities for them to make a difference against tiring opposition in the second half.

Germany play their group games in Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza, where the weather is warm and humid. Löw believes the climate will be a major factor in the tournament.